Norihiro Nakamura went 3-for-4 and Tuffy Rhodes smashed his Pacific League-leading 33rd home run to help the Kintetsu Buffaloes beat the Nippon Ham Fighters 6-3 at the Tokyo Dome on Friday.
The win, coupled with the loss of PL leader Seibu, ensured the second-place Buffaloes narrowed the Lions' lead to six games.
Kintetsu took the lead in the first with a solo homer by Rhodes off Nippon Ham starter Chris Seelbach (5-5).